1
: a small or insignificant amount or degree : bit
might give him some water and a tad to eatC. T. Walker
2
: a small child
especially : boy
Phrases
a tad
: somewhat, rather
looked a tad bigger than meLarry Hodgson

Examples of tad in a Sentence

there's more than just a tad of hyperbole in the critics' praise for the promising young pianist grandfather never tires of telling us about the days when he was just a tad
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The other thing to note is that the plastic paddle felt a tad flimsy. Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 10 Jan. 2025 But there’s obviously more work to be done in crucial moments, as generating a tad more offense in each of those games probably could have saved the Sharks some heartache. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2025 This was regarded as a tad presumptuous, even for Trump. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 Her lashes were delicate, her brows were softly arched, her cheeks were a tad rosy, and her lips were topped off with peachy gloss. Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tad 

Word History

Etymology

probably from English dialect, toad, from Middle English tode — more at toad

First Known Use

circa 1877, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tad was circa 1877

Dictionary Entries Near tad

Cite this Entry

“Tad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tad. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

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